The Palma Ceia Golf Club opened its doors in 1917 as the “newest” social club in the area. The building was 72 x 90 feet with a basement, costing approximately $16,000. The ballroom was decorated with French gray upholstered cretonnes (floral pattern fabric) with matching draperies. When it was constructed, this area of town was known as the Inter-Bay Peninsula and was being developed as older subdivisions like Hyde Park and Suburb Beautiful overflowed. Initial memberships specified an initiation fee of $25 (generally waived) and monthly dues of $3.50. Golf celebrity Walter Hagen was Palma Ceia’s winter professional in 1919 and played several exhibition matches that year. He also started (and won) The National Midwinter Open here.

The club quickly became a favorite social gathering spot for Tampa’s elite, including members such as D. P. Davis (Davis Islands) and Clarence Holtsinger (Holtsinger Motor Company). Legend had it that Gene Sarazen, one of the world's top players in the 1920s, developed the sand wedge in the practice bunker here. The popularity of the club continues. With a waitlist of several years, new members must be sponsored by an existing member. There are no public records of initiation fees or monthly dues. The property has undergone several changes, resulting in an opulent and modern structure along MacDill Avenue.

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